Effect of topical application of different substances on fibroplasia in cutaneous surgical wounds.

Background: Fibroblasts on the edges of a surgical wound are induced to synthesize collagen during the healing process which is known as fibroplasia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the application of different substances on fibroplasia of cutaneous surgical wounds on rats.

Materials and methods: Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into three groups. A surgical wound 1 cm in diameter and 1 mm in depth was created on the dorsum of each animal. The surgical wounds were submitted to the topical application of an alcoholic extract of 30% propolis, 70% alcohol, or 0.001% dexamethasone in a cream base every 12 hours. The animals were sacrificed three, seven, 14, and 28 days postoperatively. The specimens were histologically processed and stained with Masson's trichome. The assessment of fibroplasia was performed using a scoring system: (1) 5 to 25% collagen deposition; (2) 26 to 50% collagen deposition; (3) 51 to 75% collagen deposition; and (4) more than 75% collagen deposition.

Results: There were statistically significant differences in collagen deposition between the substances at all postoperative evaluation times.

Conclusion: Propolis and alcohol promoted greater collagen deposition in surgical wounds than dexamethasone.